Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA731834’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA731834’, particularly characterized by having reddish-purple, striped flowers with small white edges and dark purplish-red lips, flowers that are concave in lateral view, dark purplish-red whiskers with white tips, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA731834’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHA731834’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withattractive, reddish-purple, striped flowers with small white edges anddark purplish-red lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA731834’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in April 2011 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of theproprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3358’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘26514-01’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in June 2014. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2017 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Apr. 22, 2021 (Application no. 2021/1092), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHA731834’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHA731834’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHA731834’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) Reddish-purple, striped flowers with small white edges and        dark purplish-red lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is concave; and    -   3) Whiskers are dark purplish-red with white tips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, bud,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in March 2022. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, bud, and foliageof ‘PHA731834’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA731834’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHA731834’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHA731834’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in March 2022 onflowering plants which were planted in 6-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were directly transplanted into6-centimeter (diameter) pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to29° C. for 32 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 6 weeks between18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occursafter 50 weeks in 6-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHA731834’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3358’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘26514-01’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having yellow-green (RHS 144B) with a small purple (RHS            N77A) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the plant is directly transplanted into a 6-cm pot            and the plant is finished after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 21.0 cm to 26.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 16.0 cm to 19.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 9.0 cm            to 11.0 cm. Width: 4.0 cm to 5.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 15 degrees and 30 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: Yellow-green (RHS            146A) with small dark purplish-red dots (RHS N79A). Lower            surface: Yellow-green (RHS 146B) with purple shade and small            dots (RHS N77A). Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):            Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent.            Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper            surface: Yellow-green (RHS 146A) with a touch of dark            purplish-red (RHS N79B). Lower surface: Yellow-green (RHS            146B) with a touch of dark purplish-red (RHS N79C).-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—6 to 9.        -   Length.—21.0 cm to 26.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—2.0 mm to 3.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of purple (RHS N77A) and yellow-green (RHS 146B).        -   Internode length.—1.5 cm to 2.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 60.0 mm to            100.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 8 to 9 months            after planting in a 6-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 40.0 mm to 45.0 mm. Diameter: 50.0 mm to            55.0 mm. Depth of lip: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Concave.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 11 to 13 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 16.0 mm to            18.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Touch of yellow-green (RHS 146D) at the base;            purplish-red shade (RHS N77B) and dark purplish-red stripes            (RHS N79B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Slightly emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated.            Length (from base to tip): 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Width: 23.0            mm to 25.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal:            Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface:            Basic color: Reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N78A and            RHS N78B). Over color: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C);            reddish-purple stripes (RHS N78A); white edge (RHS NN155C).            Lower surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS N80B). Over color:            Reddish-purple stripes (RHS N78B). Number of spots and            stripes on the petals (upper surface): Many stripes. Color            of spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): RHS            N78A. Density of netting of the petals (upper surface):            None. Color of the netting (upper surface): None.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 25.0 mm to            27.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple            (RHS N78B). Over color: Reddish-purple stripes (RHS N78B);            small white edge (RHS NN155C). Lower surface: Basic color:            Purplish-pink (RHS N78C). Over color: Reddish-purple (RHS            N78B) at the base; stripes (RHS N78A); a small white edge            (RHS NN155C). Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal            sepals (upper surface): Many stripes. Color of spots and            stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): RHS N78A.            Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface):            Low. Color of the netting: RHS N78A.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 25.0 mm to            27.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple            (RHS N78B). Over color: Hint of light yellow-green (RHS            145C); purplish-red spotted (RHS 59B) at the base;            reddish-purple stripes (RHS N78A). Lower surface: Basic            color: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C). Over color: Touch of light            yellow-green (RHS 145D) at the base; reddish-purple stripes            (RHS N78B) and reddish-purple midvein (RHS N78A). Number of            spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Few            spots at the base and medium stripes. Color of spots and            stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Spots (RHS            59B) and stripes (RHS N78A). Density of netting of the            lateral sepals (upper surface): Absent. Color of the netting            (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 3.0            mm to 4.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark purplish-red (RHS            N79C) with white tips (RHS NN155C). Pubescence on the lip:            Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly            spatulate. Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 14.0 mm            to 16.0 mm. Width: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:            Hint of light yellow (RHS 8D) with dark red stripes (RHS            187C) at the base; red-purple (a color in between RHS N78A            and RHS N79C) toward the tip with dark red overcolor (RHS            187B). Lower surface: Light yellow-green (RHS 155A) at the            base toward one side and red (RHS 185A) toward the other            side; dark reddish-purple (RHS N79C) toward the tip with            dark red overcolor (a color in between RHS 187B and RHS            187C). Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few            stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS            187C. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of            the netting: None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trullate to rhombic. Margin: Entire.            Length: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm.            Color: Upper surface: Purplish-red (RHS 187D) with dark red            overcolor (RHS 187C). Lower surface: Yellowish-white (RHS            196D) at the middle from the base toward whiskers;            purplish-red wings (RHS 71A) and purplish-red margins of            wings (RHS 59B); red-purple (a color in between RHS N78A and            RHS N79C) toward wings. Number of spots and stripes on the            apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical            lobe: Not applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe:            None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.            Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:            Yellow (RHS 12A); spotted (RHS N186D); light greenish-yellow            on sides (RHS 4C).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 nun to            5.0 mm. Color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78A).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 1.5 mm to 1.9            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 29.0 nun to 31.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to            2.4 mm. Color: Hint of light yellow-green (RHS 196C) at the            base and light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) toward the flower.            Texture: Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA731834’ differs from the female parent plant ‘01-3358’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHA731834’ has trullate to rhombic apical lobes, flowers with amain color of reddish-purple, and dark purplish-red whiskers with whitetips, whereas ‘01-3358’ has triangular apical lobes, flowers with a maincolor of light purple, and purplish-pink whiskers with white tips.

‘PHA731834’ differs from the male parent plant ‘26514-01’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHA731834’ has dark purplish-red whiskers with white tips andcalluses with a main color of yellow, whereas ‘26514-01’ hasreddish-purple whiskers with small white tips and calluses with a maincolor of light yellow-green.

‘PHA731834’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALFEMYM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,783) and ‘PHALFUFLY’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 31,024). ‘PHA731834’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALFEMYM’ in that ‘PHA731834’ has trullate to rhombic apical lobes andobtuse leaf apexes, whereas ‘PHALFEMYM’ has ovate apical lobes androunded leaf apexes. Additionally, ‘PHA731834’ has longer dorsal sepalsthan ‘PHALFEMYM’.

‘PHA731834’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUFLY’ in that‘PHA731834’ has trullate to rhombic apical lobes and whiskers, whereas‘PHALFUFLY’ has ovate apical lobes and no whiskers. Additionally,‘PHA731834’ has longer dorsal sepals than ‘PHALFUFLY’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHA731834’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.